Facilitating virtual personal area networks

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a coordinator device having a memory, and a controller. The memory can have computer instructions, which when executed by the controller, causes the controller to facilitate establishing a first virtual personal area network with a first sensor by executing computer instructions associated with a first application profile, and facilitate establishing a second virtual personal area network with a second sensor by executing computer instructions associated a second application profile. The first application profile can be defined by a first protocol specification, while the second application profile can be defined by a second protocol specification. The first protocol specification can also be operationally distinct from the second protocol specification. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/965,437, filed Apr. 27, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/609,140, filed May 31, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,986,372), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/992,721, filed Jan. 11, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,699,598), which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/306,548, filed Nov. 29,2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,264,238), which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates generally to facilitating virtualpersonal area networks.

BACKGROUND

Bluetooth® and ZigBee® are open standards for establishing short rangepeer-to-peer communications, and personal area networks when three ormore devices are present. The ZigBee Alliance, which created a suite ofZigBee standards, targeted ZigBee for applications that consume lesspower than Bluetooth devices. ZigBee personal area networks were alsodesigned to be scalable thereby making it easier for a ZigBee personalarea network to link to other ZigBee personal area networks.

Bluetooth, on the other hand, was not designed to be scalable. InBluetooth personal area networks, a master device must maintainsynchronicity between all Bluetooth devices operating in the personalarea network. Although technically feasible, it would be difficult tolink Bluetooth personal area networks together in a manner thatmaintains the Bluetooth devices of multiple personal area networkssynchronized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method operating inportions of the systems described in FIGS. 1-5; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments of virtual personal area networks, each adapted to aspecific application profile, for selectively communicating with one ormore devices according to their respective application profile. Otherembodiments are contemplated by the subject disclosure as describedbelow.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a coordinator devicehaving a memory, and a controller. The memory can have computerinstructions, which when executed by the controller, causes thecontroller to facilitate establishing a first virtual personal areanetwork with a first sensor by executing computer instructionsassociated with a first application profile, and facilitate establishinga second virtual personal area network with a second sensor by executingcomputer instructions associated a second application profile. The firstapplication profile can be defined by a first protocol specification,while the second application profile can be defined by a second protocolspecification. The first protocol specification can also beoperationally distinct from the second protocol specification.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a computer-readablestorage medium having computer instructions, which when executed by atleast one processor, causes the at least one processor to facilitateestablishing a first virtual personal area network according to a firstapplication profile and facilitate establishing a second virtualpersonal area network according to a second application profile. Thefirst virtual personal area network can be configured to communicatewith at least one of a plurality of first sensors operating according toa first type of application defined by the first application profile.The second virtual personal area network can be configured tocommunicate with at least one of a plurality of second sensors operatingaccording a second type of application defined by the second applicationprofile. The computer-readable storage medium can also have computerinstructions that cause the at least one processor to facilitateestablishing communications between the first virtual personal areanetwork and the at least one of the plurality of first sensors by way ofa physical layer and a medium access control layer, and facilitateestablishing communications between the second virtual personal areanetwork and the at least one of the plurality of second sensors by wayof the physical layer and the medium access control layer.

One embodiment of the subject disclosure includes a method forfacilitating establishing from a computing device a first virtualpersonal area network operating according to a first applicationprofile, facilitating establishing from the computing device a secondvirtual personal area network operating according to a secondapplication profile, facilitating establishing from the computing devicecommunications between the first virtual personal area network and afirst device over a communications interface, and facilitatingestablishing from the computing device communications between the secondvirtual personal area network and a second device over thecommunications interface. The first device is communicativelyincompatible with the second virtual personal area network due to thefirst device conforming to operations defined by the first applicationprofile, while the second device is communicatively incompatible withthe first virtual personal area network due to the second deviceconforming to operations defined by the second application profile.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system. TheIPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 110 with atleast one super headend office server (SHS) 111 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 111 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present ornext generation local or personal area wireless network technologies. Byway of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 129 can be used also in themedia system of FIG. 1. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 100. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115 carrying mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to thebuilding 102. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver131 can be transferred to the media processors 106 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped with a broadbandport to the ISP network 132 to enable interactive services such as VoDand EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 133 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system100. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 133 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. It is contemplatedthat the subject disclosure can apply to other present or nextgeneration over-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116.

It is further contemplated that multiple forms of media services can beoffered to media devices over landline technologies such as thosedescribed above. Additionally, media services can be offered to mediadevices by way of a wireless access base station 117 operating accordingto common wireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile orGSM, Code Division Multiple Access or CDMA, Time Division MultipleAccess or TDMA, Universal Mobile Telecommunications or UMTS, Worldinteroperability for Microwave or WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR,Long Term Evolution or LTE, and so on. Other present and next generationwide area wireless network technologies are contemplated by the subjectdisclosure.

Communication system 100 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 130 to function as a server for communicating withZigbee-compatible devices in a residence or establishment 102 (hereinreferred to as server 130). The server 130 can use computing andcommunication technology to perform function 162, which can includeamong things, monitoring and responding to sensory data supplied byZigbee-compatible devices in residence or establishment 102. The mediaprocessors 106 and wireless communication devices 116 can be adaptedwith software functions 164 and 166, respectively, to utilize theservices of server 130. Alternatively, or in combination with theforegoing embodiments, media processors 106 and wireless communicationdevices 116 can perform in whole or in part the functions of the server130.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS-compliant communication devices(CDs) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260. The MGCF 220 need not be usedwhen a communication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 220.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 240. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 201 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 204 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 217 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 217 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 206 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submit a query to the HSS 240 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 202. Once identified, the I-CSCF 207 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 214. The terminating S-CSCF214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216 associated with theterminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 may then signal the CD 202 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 2 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 200 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 201, 202with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 100 ofFIG. 1.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD203 or CD 205 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 230 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 260 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 2 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 2 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 221, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a DECT base unit, or another suitable wireless access unitto establish communications with the IMS network 250 of FIG. 2. Thecellular access base station 221 can operate according to commonwireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile (GSM), CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),Universal Mobile Telecommunications (UMTS), World interoperability forMicrowave (WiMAX), Software Defined Radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution(LTE), and so on. Other present and next generation wireless networktechnologies are contemplated by the subject disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies arecontemplated for the CDs of FIG. 2.

It is further contemplated that cellular phones supporting LTE cansupport packet-switched voice and packet-switched data communicationsand thus may operate as IMS-compliant mobile devices. In thisembodiment, the cellular base station 221 may communicate directly withthe IMS network 250 as shown by the arrow connecting the cellular basestation 221 and the P-CSCF 216.

It is also understood that alternative forms of a CSCF can operate in adevice, system, component, or other form of centralized or distributedhardware and/or software. Indeed, a respective CSCF may be embodied as arespective CSCF system having one or more computers or servers, eithercentralized or distributed, where each computer or server may beconfigured to perform or provide, in whole or in part, any method, step,or functionality described herein in accordance with a respective CSCF.Likewise, other functions, servers and computers described herein,including but not limited to, the HSS and ENUM server, the BGCF, and theMGCF, can be embodied in a respective system having one or morecomputers or servers, either centralized or distributed, where eachcomputer or server may be configured to perform or provide, in whole orin part, any method, step, or functionality described herein inaccordance with a respective function, server, or computer.

The server 130 of FIG. 1 can also be operably coupled to the secondcommunication system 200 for purposes similar to those described above.It is contemplated by the subject disclosure that server 130 can performfunction 162 and thereby communicate with Zigbee-compatible devices. CDs201, 202, 203 and 205 of FIG. 2 can be adapted as Zigbee-compatibledevices, which the server 130 can monitor according to applicationprofiles promulgated by the Zigbee Alliance. Alternatively, the server130 can be adapted to present to the CDs 201, 202, 203 and 205 monitoredsensory data of other Zigbee-compatible devices located in residence 102or in other remote locations. It is further contemplated that the server130 can be an integral part of the application server(s) 217 performingfunction 174, which can be substantially similar to function 162 andadapted to the operations of the IMS network 250.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 302 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices130 of the communication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The webportal 302 can be used for managing services of communication systems100-200. A web page of the web portal 302 can be accessed by a UniformResource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser such as Microsoft'sInternet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™, Apple's Safari™, or Google'sChrome™ using an Internet-capable communication device such as thosedescribed in FIGS. 1-2. The web portal 302 can be configured, forexample, to access a media processor 106 and services managed therebysuch as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog,an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 106. The web portal 302 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

It is contemplated by the subject disclosure that the web portal 302 canbe utilized to manage and provision software applications 162-164, and172-174 to adapt these applications as may be desired by subscribersand/or service providers of communication systems 100-200.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, a motion sensor 418, anorientation sensor 420, and a controller 406 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, WiFi, DigitalEnhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,software defined radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), as well asother next generation wireless communication technologies as they arise.The transceiver 402 can also be adapted to support circuit-switchedwireline access technologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wirelineaccess technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP, etc.), and combinationsthereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include a display410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. In anembodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display 410 withnavigation features.

The display 410 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input (e.g., touch of a user's finger). Asa touch screen display, the communication device 400 can be adapted topresent a user interface with graphical user interface (GUI) elementsthat can be selected by a user with a touch of a finger. The touchscreen display 410 can be equipped with capacitive, resistive or otherforms of sensing technology to detect much surface area of a user'sfinger has been placed on a portion of the touch screen display. Thissensing information can be used control the manipulation of the GUIelements.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. Alternatively, the charging systemcan utilize external power sources such as DC power supplied over aphysical interface such as a USB port. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of thecommunication device 400 based on signals generated by a constellationof GPS satellites, thereby facilitating common location services such asnavigation. The motion sensor 418 can utilize motion sensing technologysuch as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or other suitable motion sensingto detect motion of the communication device 400 in three-dimensionalspace. The orientation sensor 420 can utilize orientation sensingtechnology such as a compass to detect the orientation of thecommunication device 400 (North, South, West, East, combinedorientations thereof in degrees, minutes, or other suitable orientationmetrics).

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by common sensing techniques such as utilizing a receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA)or time of flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

Other components not shown in FIG. 4 are contemplated by the subjectdisclosure. For instance, the communication device 400 can include areset button (not shown). The reset button can be used to reset thecontroller 406 of the communication device 400. In yet anotherembodiment, the communication device 400 can also include a factorydefault setting button positioned below a small hole in a housingassembly of the communication device 400 to force the communicationdevice 400 to re-establish factory settings. In this embodiment, a usercan use a protruding object such as a pen or paper clip tip to reachinto the hole and depress the default setting button.

The communication device 400 as described herein can operate with moreor less components described in FIG. 4. These variant embodiments arecontemplated by the subject disclosure.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

It is also contemplated that the communication device 400 shown in FIG.4 or portions thereof can serve as a representation of one or more ofthe devices of communication systems 100-200. It is further contemplatedthat the controller 406 can be adapted in various embodiments to performfunctions 162-164 and 172-174 described earlier.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500that can be overlaid or operably coupled with communication systems100-300 as another representative embodiment of these communicationsystems. Communication system 500 can comprise a coordinator device 502communicatively coupled to a plurality of devices 542, 544, 546 and 562operating in virtual personal area networks (VPANs). The component partsof the coordinator device 502 can utilize in whole or in part thecomputing and communication technologies described above forcommunication device 400 of FIG. 4.

In one embodiment, the functions of the coordinator device 502 can besubdivided into an application manager 520 which manages VPANs, and acommunications interface 522 which manages communications between theapplication manager 520 and the VPANs. Each VPAN of the applicationmanager 520 can include a network layer and an application layer, whichoperates in part according to the specifications promulgated by theZigBee Alliance, and which may be adapted to accomplish the objectivesof the subject disclosure. The communications interface 522 can comprisea physical layer 510 and a medium access control layer 512 that operatesaccording to the specifications defined by the working group of theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for the802.15.4 standard.

In one embodiment, the functions of the application manager 520 canoperate from an infrastructure device such as server 130 shown in FIGS.1 and 2. In another embodiment, the functions of the application manager520 can operate from the gateway 104 or the media processor 106 ofFIG. 1. In one embodiment, the functions of the application manager 520can operate from the application server 217 of FIG. 2. In oneembodiment, the functions of the applicator manager 520 can operate frommore than one computing device. For example, VPAN-A 504 can operate frommedia processor 106, while VPAN-B 506 can operate from gateway 104.Generally, it is not necessary for VPANs to process sensory data inreal-time. Accordingly, VPANs (A-N) 504-508 of the application manager520 can operate from one or more independently operated computingdevices each sharing the communications interface 522. Although portionsof the application manager 520 can be decentralized, in one embodimentthe application manager 520 and the communications interface 522 can behoused into a single computing device 530. In this embodiment, thecoordinator device 502 can be placed in residence 102 as a standalonedevice. Alternatively, the application manager 520 and thecommunications interface 522 can be integrated in a device such as themedia processor 106 or gateway 104 located in the residence 102. In thisembodiment, each VPAN 504, 506, and 508 can operate as an independentsoftware process. Thus, each VPAN software process that is executed bythe single computing device 530 can operate independent of another VPANexecuted by the single computing device 530. The independent operationof VPANs can be implemented by a multitasking operating system executedby the single computing device 530 that manages utilization of computingresources used by the VPANs.

The application manager 520 can include an arbiter 509 to arbitratebetween two or more VPANs requesting usage of the resources of thecommunications interface 522. In one embodiment, the arbiter 509 can beadapted to provide each VPAN equal access to the communicationsinterface 522. This can be performed by assigning a synchronous timeslot to each VPAN, which would enable each VPAN to gain equal access tothe communications interface 522. Alternatively, the arbiter 509 can beadapted to provide each VPAN asynchronous and asymmetric access to thecommunications interface 522 based on a predetermined arbitrationscheme. For example, the arbiter 509 can be configured to provide eachVPAN a different priority level so that when simultaneous requests aremade by two or more VPANs, the VPAN with the highest priority is givenaccess.

To avoid a VPAN from blocking other VPANs access to the resources of thecommunications interface 522, the arbiter 509 can be configured to applya time limit on each VPAN's usage of the communications interface 522 sothat other VPANs can be given an opportunity to access thecommunications interface 522. Other arbitration techniques can beapplied. For example, the arbiter 509 can also be configured tointerpret sensory data received from devices operating in each VPAN andassess how to assign a particular VPAN priority and/or time limits forutilizing the communications interface 522 based on the importance givenby the arbitrator 509 to the received sensory data.

Each VPAN of the application manager 520 can be adapted to operateaccording to a specific application profile defined and promulgated bythe ZigBee Alliance. Possible application profiles can include a HomeAutomation application profile, a Smart Energy profile applicationprofile, a Telecommunications application profile, a Health Careapplication profile, a Remote Control application profile, a BuildingAutomation application profile, a Retail Services application profile,an Input Device application profile, a Telecom Services applicationprofile, a 3D Sync application profile, a Network Devices applicationprofile, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. VPAN-A 504, forexample, can be adapted to the Home Automation application profiledefined by the ZigBee Alliance, while VPAN-B 506 can be adapted to theHealth Care application profile defined by the ZigBee Alliance. Otherapplication profiles generated by the ZigBee Alliance, or otherstandards bodies are contemplated by the subject disclosure.

Devices 542 can be adapted to operate according to application profile 1(e.g., the Home Automation application profile) of VPAN-A 504. Devices544 can be adapted to operate according to application profile 2 (e.g.,the Remote Control application profile). This structure can be repeatedfor other VPANs such as depicted by devices 546, which operate accordingto application profile N (e.g., the Health Care application profile). Itshould be noted that the devices 542 operating according to applicationprofile 1 are able to operate only in a VPAN of the same applicationprofile. According, devices 542 unable to operate in VPAN-B 506 orVPAN-N 508. Similarly, devices 544 operating according to applicationprofile 2 are unable to operate in VPAN-A 504 or VPAN-N 508, and devices546 operating according to application profile N are unable to operatein VPAN-A 504 or VPAN-B 506. Accordingly, each of the VPANs of theapplication manager 522 are adapted to communicate only with devices ofa compatible application profile.

The application manager 522 can also be configured to detect a router550 that is compatible with ZigBee protocols. The router 550 can bedetected by any one of the VPANs 504-508. In another embodiment, thearbiter 509 can be configured to detect the router 550. The router 550can be coupled to VPAN-Z 560 with one or more devices 562 operatingaccording to application profile X. If application profile X matches toone of the application profiles of the VPANs 504 and 506, then thematched VPAN of the application manager 522 can be configured toestablish communications with the router 550 and thereby link to VPAN-Z560 and devices 562 operating within this network.

Devices 542, 544, 546, and 562 can represent sensors coupled toappliances, remote controllers, consumer electronic devices, securitysystems, and so on. Each sensor can provide monitoring data to acorresponding VPAN of the application manager 522. The sensors can alsobe controlled by a VPAN of the application manager 522. Each VPAN can beconfigured to collect and present monitored information to a user by wayof a computer monitor, mobile phone, or other suitable communicationdevice communicatively coupled to the VPAN (e.g., via the Internet) andcapable of displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). The recipient ofthe monitored information can be provided with control elements in theGUI to control the operation of the sensor.

For example, the recipient can turn off lights in an area of theresidence 102, turn on or off an air conditioner, switch between webcammonitors, assert an alarm, and so on. Each VPAN of the applicationmanager 522 can also be configured with automatic triggers to respond tosensory data from the sensors. For example, a VPAN can be configured bya user by way of portal 302 to turn on lights when a sensor detects adecrease in luminescence in a particular area of the residence. The VPANcan also be configured by the user to turn off certain appliances suchas a water heater when members of a household are not detected for anextended period of time. Other manual and automation techniques formonitoring and/or processing monitored data are contemplated by thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative method 600 that operates in portions ofthe devices of FIGS. 1-5. Method 600 can begin with step 602 in which afirst VPAN (e.g., VPAN-A 504) is established by the application manager522 according to a corresponding first application profile. This stepcan represent, for example, a Home Automation VPAN being executed by theapplication manager 522. In step 604, the application manager 522 canestablish a second VPAN (e.g., VPAN-B 506) according to a secondapplication profile. This step can represent, for example, a Health CareVPAN being executed by the application manager 522. VPAN-A 504 can thenestablish communications in step 606 with devices 542 operatingaccording to the first application profile (e.g., devices operatingaccording to the Home Automation application profile). In step 608, theVPAN-B 506 can establish communications with devices 544 operatingaccording to the second application profile (e.g., devices operatingaccording to the Health Care application profile).

In step 610, VPAN-A 504 and/or VPAN-B 506, or the arbiter 509, canmonitor for the presence of a router 550 according to device discoveryprotocols defined by the ZigBee Alliance. If a router 550 is discovered,VPAN-A 504 and/or VPAN-B 506, or the arbiter 509 can determine if therouter 550 is coupled to a VPAN which is operating according to anapplication profile that is compatible with either VPAN-A 504 or VPAN-B506. If VPAN-Z 560 is operating according to an application profile X,which is compatible with the application profile of VPAN-A 504, thenVPAN-A 504 and VPAN-Z 560 can establish a communication linktherebetween by way of the router 560 in step 614.

This enables VPAN-A 504 of the coordinator device 502 to manage devices562 operating from VPAN-Z. If VPAN-Z is not compatible with either ofVPAN-A 504 or VPAN-B 506, then the router 550 is ignored. At step 616,each of VPAN-A 504 and VPAN-B 506 monitor sensory data from devices 542and 544. In one embodiment, this step can represent sensory datatransmitted automatically by the devices 542 and 544 to VPAN-A 504 orVPAN-B 506. In another embodiment, this step can represent sensor datapolled by VPAN-A 504 and VPAN-B 506, respectively. Upon receivingsensory data from devices 542 or 544, VPAN-A 504 or VPAN-B 506 can beconfigured to process the sensory data according to a profile created byway of portal 302, and/or by user input received from selections made byway of a GUI presented to the user at a communication device such as atelevision display controlled by a media processor, a computer, mobilephone or laptop computer, or other suitable communication devicecommunicatively coupled to VPAN-A 504 or VPAN-B 506 by way of thecommunication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2. Once the sensory data hasbeen processed, steps 610 through 618 are repeated.

Method 600 discloses a coordinator device 502 which is capable ofmanaging multiple personal area networks (PAN) configured with differingapplication profiles, which overcomes a limitation of prior art ZigBeesystems.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, the applicationmanager 522 of FIG. 5 can be adapted to operate in a mobile phone,portable computer, or other suitable communication device. Method 600and the communication system 500 of FIG. 5 can also be configured tooperate with next generation application profiles defined by the ZigBeeAlliance or proprietary standards as they may arise. Method 600 and thecommunication system 500 of FIG. 5 can further be adapted to operatewith other virtual personal area networks which may not be compatiblewith the ZigBee standard. Other embodiments are contemplated by thesubject disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative diagrammatic representation of a machinein the form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 130, media processor 106, the CDs201, 202, 203 and 205, the CSCFs, the application servers, thecoordinator device 502, the router 560, devices 542, 544, 546, 562, andother devices or components of FIGS. 1-5. In some embodiments, themachine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In anetworked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 700 may include a processor 702 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 704 and a static memory 706, which communicate with each othervia a bus 708. The computer system 700 may further include a videodisplay unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, ora solid state display. The computer system 700 may include an inputdevice 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 714 (e.g., amouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generation device 718 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 720.

The disk drive unit 716 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 724) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within theprocessor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system 700. Themain memory 704 and the processor 702 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) are contemplatedfor use by computer system 700.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,are contemplated by the subject disclosure.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: initiating, by a processingsystem including a processor, a first virtual personal area networkaccording to a first application profile, wherein the first applicationprofile is based on a first protocol specification; initiating, by theprocessing system, a second virtual personal area network according to asecond application profile, wherein the second application profile isbased on a second protocol specification; providing, by the processingsystem, a communications interface comprising a physical layer and amedium access control layer, wherein the first virtual personal areanetwork and the second virtual personal area network share the mediumaccess control layer and the physical layer of the communicationsinterface; and providing, by the processing system, access to thecommunication interface to the first virtual personal area network andthe second virtual personal area network according to an arbitrationscheme.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first virtual personalarea network and the second virtual personal area network arerespectively associated with a first sensor and a second sensor.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: receiving, by the processingsystem, first sensory data and second sensory data from the first sensorand the second sensor respectively; interpreting, by the processingsystem in accordance with the arbitration scheme, the first sensory dataand the second sensory data to determine a relative importance of thefirst sensory data and the second sensory data; and assigning, by theprocessing system, a priority for accessing the communication interfaceto each of the first virtual personal area network and the secondvirtual personal area network based on the relative importance of thefirst sensory data and the second sensory data.
 4. The method of claim2, wherein the first sensor and second sensor respectively providemonitoring data regarding devices of the first virtual personal areanetwork and the second virtual personal area network.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein in accordance with the arbitration scheme, the firstvirtual personal area network and the second virtual personal areanetwork are provided equal access to the communication interface.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the arbitration scheme comprises assigningsynchronous time slots to each of the first virtual personal areanetwork and the second virtual personal area network.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein asynchronous and asymmetric access to the communicationinterface is provided to the first virtual personal area network and thesecond virtual personal area network.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe arbitration scheme comprises assigning a different priority level toeach of the first virtual personal area network and the second virtualpersonal area network.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the arbitrationscheme comprises assigning a time limit for accessing the communicationinterface to each of the first virtual personal area network and thesecond virtual personal area network.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: detecting, by the processing system, a routercommunicatively coupled to a third virtual personal area network; andinitiating, by the processing system, communications with the router toenable communications between the third virtual personal area networkand the first virtual personal area network, the second virtual personalarea network, or both.
 11. A machine-readable medium comprisingexecutable instructions that, when executed by a processing systemincluding a processor, facilitate performance of operations comprising:initiating a first virtual personal area network according to a firstapplication profile, wherein the first application profile is based on afirst protocol specification; initiating a second virtual personal areanetwork according to a second application profile, wherein the secondapplication profile is based on a second protocol specification;providing a communications interface comprising a physical layer and amedium access control layer, wherein the first virtual personal areanetwork and the second virtual personal area network share the mediumaccess control layer and the physical layer of the communicationsinterface; and providing access to the communication interface to thefirst virtual personal area network and the second virtual personal areanetwork according to a predetermined arbitration scheme.
 12. Themachine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the first virtual personalarea network and the second virtual personal area network arerespectively associated with a first sensor and a second sensor.
 13. Themachine-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising: receiving, bythe processing system, first sensory data and second sensory data fromthe first sensor and the second sensor respectively; interpreting, bythe processing system in accordance with the predetermined arbitrationscheme, the first sensory data and the second sensory data to determinea relative importance of the first sensory data and the second sensorydata; and assigning, by the processing system, a priority for accessingthe communication interface to each of the first virtual personal areanetwork and the second virtual personal area network based on therelative importance of the first sensory data and the second sensorydata.
 14. The machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein in accordancewith the predetermined arbitration scheme, the first virtual personalarea network and the second virtual personal area network are providedequal access to the communication interface.
 15. The machine-readablemedium of claim 11, wherein asynchronous and asymmetric access to thecommunication interface is provided to the first virtual personal areanetwork and the second virtual personal area network.
 16. A devicecomprising: a processing system including a processor; and a memory thatstores executable instructions that, when executed by the processingsystem, facilitate performance of operations comprising: initiating afirst virtual personal area network according to a first applicationprofile; initiating a second virtual personal area network according toa second application profile; providing a communications interfacecomprising a physical layer and a medium access control layer, whereinthe first virtual personal area network and the second virtual personalarea network share the medium access control layer and the physicallayer of the communications interface; and providing access to thecommunication interface to the first virtual personal area network andthe second virtual personal area network according to an arbitrationscheme.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the first applicationprofile and the second application profile are respectively defined by afirst protocol specification and a second protocol specification. 18.The device of claim 16, wherein the first virtual personal area networkand the second virtual personal area network are respectively associatedwith a first sensor and a second sensor.
 19. The device of claim 18,wherein the operations further comprise: receiving first sensory dataand second sensory data from the first sensor and the second sensorrespectively; interpreting, in accordance with the arbitration scheme,the first sensory data and the second sensory data to determine arelative importance of the first sensory data and the second sensorydata; and assigning a priority for accessing the communication interfaceto each of the first virtual personal area network and the secondvirtual personal area network based on the relative importance of thefirst sensory data and the second sensory data.
 20. The device of claim16, wherein the operations further comprise: detecting a routercommunicatively coupled to a third virtual personal area network; andinitiating communications with the router to enable communicationsbetween the third virtual personal area network and the first virtualpersonal area network, the second virtual personal area network, orboth.